We are often asked if it's necessary to fence a garden in or create a raised garden bed along a fence. It's not surprising that most gardeners would prefer to avoid this - after you, it's much harder to see gorgeous flowers, vegetables and herbs when they're fenced in. So what's the answer? Our experts are here to provide everything you need to know about fencing a raised bed garden.
Why You Need A Fence
The main reason to have your raised bed garden against a fence is wild animals. Many animals are looking for an easy garden snack, and a fence could help protect your plants depending on what animals are after them.
Squirrels and other small rodents will likely get into your garden regardless. However, many other animals can be fenced out, including deer, raccoons, rabbits, foxes, and skunks. Adding a simple fence will naturally protect your plants without the use of chemicals - and the right fence will also add style to a yard.
Types of Raised Bed Garden Fences
There are several options when adding a fence to a raised garden bed. Let's look at some options for materials and styles to build your new fence.
Garden Fence Materials
- Wooden fences are a classic material with many varieties and colors. The danger is that wood is prone to rotting and can even be chewed through.
- Composite fences combine wood fibers and plastic to create a more durable fence that still has the traditional wood look.
- Metal fences are durable with a modern or vintage aesthetic. When using steel, make sure it's galvanized or powder-coated to resist rust.
- Vinyl fences are an affordable contemporary material that is effective, but will be prone to color fading and is hard to repair if it breaks.
Garden Fence Styles
- Picket fencing has vertical wood or composite panels attached to the top and bottom rails and spaced however you like.
- Convex fencing has panels that curve upward to resist heavy winds.
- Roman fencing is a type of picket fence that uses metal posts topped with finials. You'll need to space the posts tightly so animals can't wriggle through.
- Gothic fencing is picket fencing based on medieval architecture. French Gothic is a variation where the pickets are shaped like arrows.
At a minimum, your fence should be 2-3 feet high. This will be enough for most small animals. If you need to keep out large deer and other animals known for jumping and leaping, your fence may need to be up to eight feet tall.
Protect Your Crops with Animal Barrier Garden Beds
Frame It All has created Raised Garden Bed with Fence kits that make it easy to protect your crops. These walk-in animal barrier gardens have a composite bed at multiple heights and a fence up to four feet tall to deter critters. You can also build a fence using 360 Cap Composite Pickets. Enjoy your garden while spoiling the party for animals with high-quality fencing solutions.